Last winter, I wrote about Rocco Baldelli (Rocco or the Ram), once touted as the next Joe Dimaggio. But his playing with the Tampa Ray Devils was erratic. They knew he had talent but they couldn’t rely on him to play. When his contract ran out, he wasn’t rehired – he became a free agent.

When the Red Sox picked him up, many fans must have wondered why. Some bloggers wrote that he was damaged goods. When he got a diagnosis, channelopathy, those fans must have been even more skeptical. Can’t you just hear them asking, “channel who?”

It’s been a good fit. It’s unlikely he’ll be the next Joe Dimaggio. Nor will we get to know what kind of player he might have been, if he hadn’t developed a chronic illness.

But he’s shown that he’s got what it takes to live a fulfilling life in the face of disappointment and physical discomfort. He didn’t despair when he wasn’t playing as expected. He didn’t say no to this offer with the Red Sox, putting him in a lesser role than he would have wanted in healthier days.

Yeah, he’s got tremendous talent. And that helps. But more importantly, Rocco Baldelli’s got resilience and flexibility, two star qualities. And two important keys to job success for anyone –people with chronic illness and healthy people, too.

And, let’s not forget that the Red Sox management was able to see what Baldelli could do rather focusing on what he can’t do. Too bad more employers don’t do that. Another key to job success.

But the most important key here is job fit, particularly with chronic illness. He was the right man for this job and this job was right for him. Without that, the other keys wouldn’t have clicked into place.

FYI – after the Rocco/Ram post, a reader emailed me saying I should ask Baldelli if he wanted chronic illness career coaching from me. I laughed. Yup, I would have loved the chance. I didn’t contacted him though and he seems to be doing just fine. Are you?

Resumes look different than when my parents were job hunting – – or for that matter, when I was first in the game. For most of the 20th century, a person took a job expecting to die in that job. But sometime in the early 1990’s, job security and employee loyalty were pushed aside inRead More

“If you think you can, you’re right. If you think you can’t, you’re right, too.” Henry Ford. Career and chronic illness. Not exactly 2 things that go together, like peanut butter and jelly? In fact, it’s my experience that most people who learn that they’re living with a chronic illness figure that career can noRead More

This week, a unique website, New Way RA, goes live. It explores in depth how people living with rheumatoid arthritis, RA, can live a healthy and well-rounded life-style while facing the challenges of this disease. New Way RA is an online talk show. It’s features Deborah Norville interviewing experts on career, fitness, nutrition, personal relationshipsRead More

The good news, confided my client, is that so many people are in the same boat I’m in – for the first time. The bad news? The boat is sinking. Was he joking? No doubt, one difficult aspect of living with chronic illness, especially if you’re under 50, is that you feel so alone. YouRead More

Check out the very useful information in The New York Times, Patient Money column, Protecting Your Job When You Live with Chronic Illness by Lesley Alderman. And, yes, there are several quotes from me. On reading this, a client emailed to let me know that she’s worried that now that I’m famous, I wouldn’t haveRead More

Diabetes should not be the reason that Sonia Sotomayor does not get approved for the Supreme Court. Sotomayor acknowledges that diabetes has informed the person she has become. But like all of us, there are a multitude factors that create her life story, including growing up poor, losing her father at a young age, beingRead More

Happy Memorial Day! Whether or not you’re employed, there’s a 3 day “weekend” up ahead. Some will “parade’, others might picnic, or maybe you’re just taking it slow, resting up for the week ahead. Likely you’ll be on the internet, even a bit. So why not use that time to your advantage? Give someRead More

Fifteen years ago, I stopped working for two years when ulcerative colitis and multiple sclerosis, chronic illnesses, made working — and even leaving the house — difficult. With two children in elementary school, a husband with a demanding job and disabling disease, work became the added burden I couldn’t carry. Tell me. Does this soundRead More

Are you wondering/worrying/even obsessing about your job because of unpredictable chronic illness? Or maybe you’re just ignoring illness symptoms and hoping it will all go away. Either way, you’re spending too much time not doing what you should be doing. Which is making concrete plans for your career keeping your illness in mind but notRead More

In this virtual world so many of us live in, I “met” fellow traveler, Bernard Farrell, through the vibrant virtual diabetes community. Recently he mentioned on twitter (@BernardF) that he’d gotten a new job. I didn’t know he was unemployed but saw an opportunity to share his perspective. So, I sent him some questions andRead More

Over at GL Hoffman’s blog, WhatWouldDadSay, author/speaker/guru guest, Seth Godin, explains why: “Don’t Get a Job Now”. Only Godin could come up with that direct a message. Even better, he’s got great points. If this guy doesn’t motivate you, who can? Speaking of chronic illness — do you think you should spend your timeRead More

Are you wondering what chronic illness and aging share? DISCRIMINATION. Want to know how? Click through to read my post ( Job Discrimination Pains Me ) on the widely read career blog, http://What Would Daddy Say. Pass this on to others and be sure to follow me on twitter (@WorkWithIllness) to read more on theRead More

Wouldn’t you know it would take “March Madness” to show us that coming from behind can make you a winner? Two guys at Wharton Behavioral Lab explored the idea that losing can lead to winning because of the strong motivational effects of being close to your goal (When Losing Leads to a Win). They appliedRead More

Being employed generally means working on a schedule. But when you’re unemployed, looking for a job and living with an unpredictable chronic illness, time has a way of getting turned upside down. OK. So, now you’re past the relief of hauling your tired body out of bed each morning to be at work by 8:00am. Read More

This month’s blog carnival at Somebody Heal Me, is up. The topic is creating migraine friendly environments. Are you employed and living with a debilitating chronic illness? I’ll bet you’re dreaming about the day you no longer work. Sure, a job can do a lot of things for you, including giving you a paycheck (hopefullyRead More

You know that moment when the lightbulb goes on ? I know, too often it feels like it’s getting darker, not lighter (LOL). But reading Laurie Edwards, achronicdose, describe a recent bout with illness (On Work and Chronic Illness), was such an “ah hah!” moment. In my zeal to encourage people to keep working whileRead More

Randy Duermyer writes, How Working At Home Found Me. This is a useful blog about working at home – check it out. People email me asking about starting their own home businesses as I did. They’re say they’re tired of showing up when they’re so sick. What does it take, they want to know.Read More

Have you recently lost your job – – and live with a chronic illness? Recently I heard a career specialist on CNN give advice about what you can if you lose your job and you’re in an industry hit hard in this recession. The interviewer wasn’t focusing on the chronically ill — but it doesn’t Read More

A few weeks ago I blogged about my own sinus surgery to improve rinitis . I’ve felt worse post surgery than before – and it’s been 4 weeks. This was not expected and caught me unprepared. What happened? I was supposed to “naturally” shed the scabbing that occurs from breaking nasal passages. But it hasn’tRead More

Having spent 30 years working while living with chronic illnesses, I know the challenges first hand. It’s especially tough when you’ve invested time, money and resources because you believe a satisfying career is a key ingredient to a fulfilling life! I earn my living as a chronic illness career coach. People seek my services whenRead More

Randy Robinson, aka The RAM (The Wrestler), might take notes from Rocco Baldelli, the outfielder who just signed with the Boston Red Sox. Baldelli knows how to live with chronic illness and disabilities and keep working. And be successful. Note to Ram: pick up the phone and call Rocco! When Ram learns that he hasRead More

Chronic illness can break your will. It can also show you how resilient you really are. But don’t you think that’s true of any of life’s challenges? “You was my brother, Charley, you shoulda looked out for me a little bit. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, whichRead More

Does chronic illness leave you feeling like a square peg in a round hole? Funny thing. Regardless of what causes it, feeling different just doesn’t feel good. Last week, my husband, Jake, and I saw a terrific musical, In the Heights, with our daughters. Small wonder it’s a Tony Award winner — the music andRead More

I’ve written about the virtual book tour for my book, Women Work and Autoimmune Disease:Keep Working, Girlfriend! It kicks off next week, Monday November 3. Those bloggers who have asked me to write a guest post for the day that they’re highlighting the book have suggested a topic to write on. That’s more difficult thanRead More

You gotta’ respect a person who uses his pain to win. “During a race, … your muscles are on fire …. but you know the pain will subside. When I have to go to the hospital {with an multiple sclerosis attack), it’s like having someone pick at the back of my eyes, just tearing itRead More

Have you heard what Sarah Palin is saying about healthcare access for people with chronic illness? NO? That’s because she hasn’t said a thing, Nor has any other candidate (and in case the media frenzy has caused you to forget, there are 4 candidates in this race.) Am I surprised no one is talkingRead More

Are you STUCK when you think about the next job — now that you’re living with an invisible chronic illness? Then tune in to my free radio seminar to get ideas about what you can do! Assess Yourself: Find the Job You Desire and Can Do Despite Limitations Tuesday Sept. 9 at 9:00a.m PT /11:00a.m.CT/12:00noonRead More

Have you talked to a virtual assistant today? If you live with chronic illness, you probably dream about two things — (other than becoming healthy): working for yourself and working virtually. Do you know about the Virtual Assistant? It’s a new career – – part of the “new marketplace” of solo entrepreneurs and web-based business.Read More

the Women, Work and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working Girlfriend! Virtual Book Tour I’m thrilled that some of the best read bloggers (see the list) in the online disease community are participating. TO KICK OFF THE BOOK TOUR: (and let’s face it, I know money is tight but I’ve seen how valuable this information can be),Read More

When I became very sick 30 years ago and the diagnosis was multiple sclerosis, I didn’t have a clue what that meant. But hey, I wasn’t alone. No one else did either. Not much has changed — which is why it’s still chronic illness and not cured and healthy! But one thing I know forRead More

How patients with chronic illness should talk with their doctors is a frequent topic online. Laurie Edwards wrote about what patients need to think about in terms of other patients (The patient to patient relationship). But are you telling your doctor enough information about your current job situation? Think about it. Does your physician askRead More

Have you asked for flex time because of invisible chronic illness symptoms – and not gotten it? Emily, who blogs on Finding Equilibrium, did so and when she couldn’t get what she needed, she quit her job to work on her own in a virtual capacity. That was a big move for her. She regrettedRead More

FYI – IF YOU ARE A BLOG SUBSCRIBER (YOU’RE READING THIS IN YOUR EMAIL BOX ) – BUT IT’S TOO MANY EMAILS FOR YOU, YOU CAN UNSUBSCRIBE — AND SUBSCRIBE (ON MY WEBSITE HOMEPAGE) TO MY (once only) MONTHLY NEWSLETTER, Monthly Words of Wisdom. *********************************************************************************************** When you’ve taken time off from working because of chronicRead More

“What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate.” Cool Hand Luke I bet that if you live with a chronic illness you understand what I mean when I say: The single most difficult issue that I’ve faced living with chronic illness hasn’t been feeling lousy or having pain. It’s been knowing what to sayRead More

Today’s post has two ideas for help we can get to make ourselves even more productive while living with disabling symptoms and a job idea. Do you ever go to health fairs? They’re often sponsored by pharmaceutical companies and some people don’t like them for that reason but there often really interesting vendors (like me!)Read More

I was interviewed for an article about strategies for continuing to work with a chronic illness (Staying on the Job). Although the reporter didn’t spell my name right — and referred to me as an executive coach – he got my quotes right. No surprise, my contributions focused on looking for how to approach theRead More

Do you think that living with a chronic illness makes you unemployable — because you can’t possibly work the long hours that are expected in America’s workplace? Not long ago, I blogged on this topic on my other blog, Keep Working Girlfriend. It got some interesting responses. One reader was motivated to research this topic.Read More

Before I get to today’s topic, here’s an offer you can’t miss: My free, groundbreaking report, Chronic Illness in the Workplace: Career Success is Possible in exchange for completing a two question survey. It couldn’t be easier. Click on the link, take the survey and recieve my report. THANK YOU! ************************************************************************************************** I told you inRead More

Are you stuck when you think about getting a job? Because, when you do, it seems as if chronic illness shuts every door? Or maybe you’re wondering if you should stay at your job or think about something else? But chronic illness makes it all seem too complicated? While working with a client recently, a light bulbRead More

There are times that we can’t help but wonder what our lives might have been if only . .. . I woke this morning with this thought on my mind: If it hadn’t been for chronic illness, my career would have been very different. Would it have been more satisfying? Don’t get me wrong. IRead More

It’s hard not to blame yourself if chronic illness leaves you feeling as if you have no choice but to stop working. But the fact is that sometimes you just can’t get out of bed on a daily basis and that’s usually what work requires. Milwaukee morning dj (WLDB-FM 93.3), Ellen Stout, 54, is retiringRead More

If you think that it’s only the adult work world in which a chronically ill person struggles to around being “successful”, read this article (When Schools Punish Sick Children Who Miss School). Kids face the same crap (sorry but it made my blood boil). Here’s an example: A parent wrote that her child completed allRead More

Occasionally, I interview people about their “story” because I think it would be valuable for you to hear a different take on these issues – other than mine. Today’s guest is Leslie Rott. She is 22 years old and was diagnosed with and is being treated for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)Read More

There is nothing sexy or headline-making about chronic illness. It rarely kills a person — but it sure can curtail a life. Ted Kennedy was presented with what seemed liked larger than life issues that forced him to make quick decisions and take risks. All the more inspiring. And Kennedy, as do so many celebritiesRead More

This past weekend, my husband’s family gathered at our house for his youngest brother’s (there are 4 “boys”) graduation (at 44!) from U Mass Medical School (Worcester, MA). A big deal, no? But it’s late Spring and as is typical for me, multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms are flaring, with some pain and some fatigue. NotRead More

Thank you to Amy Tenderich over at DiabetesMine.com for writing an eloquent review of the new book that I co authored with Joan Friedlander, Women, Work and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working, Girlfriend! Her first line sums up SO much. She writes: “If ever two things were once considered mutually exclusive, they were career and chronicRead More

Joan Friedlander and I were interviewed on Disability News Radio (you have to scroll down under the May schedule to find the link to the interview) about our book, Women Work and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working, Girlfriend! You can click here to read more about our experience being interviewed … I’ve been affiliated with anRead More

Chronic illness or not, being able to network and write compelling resumes are keys to landing jobs. But do they always go hand in hand? My daughter is 23 and has been working as an ESL teacher through Teach for America (TFA). Calling me at 7:00 am this morning (as she often does on herRead More

Do you think about being self employed but are worried about the health insurance? A reporter recently asked me if that’s a stumbling block for people with chronic illness. You can read more about health insurance for the chronically ill in the Small Business Column, The New York Times, Finding Health Insurance if You’re SelfRead More